The European Union does not have a democratic deficit – it has a democratic surplus

The European Union has often been accused of having a ‘democratic deficit’. Sir Robert Cooper writes that what the EU actually suffers from is a ‘democratic surplus’: elections are held, but turnout remains extremely low due to a lack of interest among citizens. As national parliaments appear to bring greater legitimacy than the European Parliament, he argues that the EU should consider returning to a system in which MEPs are appointed by national politicians rather than through European elections.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The European Parliament is a failed experiment in pan-European democracy – national parliaments are the key to solving the democratic deficit http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-european-parliament-is-a-failed-experiment-in-pan-european-democracy-national-parliaments-are-the-key-to-solving-the-democratic-deficit/

ESO: Background information: The Role of National Parliaments in the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-role-of-national-parliaments-in-the-european-union-2/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 19.06.14: The European Union must have a closer link to national politics if it is to retain its legitimacy http://bit.ly/UNdYaq

ESO: Background information: The European Parliament should return to a ‘dual mandate’ system which uses national politicians as representatives instead of directly elected MEPs http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-european-parliament-should-return-to-a-dual-mandate-system-which-uses-national-politicians-as-representatives-instead-of-directly-elected-meps/

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